1
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Pagliaro L, Chen SJ, Herranz D, Mecucci C, Harrison CJ, Mullighan CG, Zhang M, Chen Z, Boissel N, Winter SS, Roti G. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2024; 10:41. [PMID: 38871740 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-024-00525-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a haematological malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature lymphoid cells. Over past decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of ALL, resulting in remarkable improvements in its diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Since the advent of chemotherapy, ALL has been the platform to test for innovative approaches applicable to cancer in general. For example, the advent of omics medicine has led to a deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic features that underpin ALL. Innovations in genomic profiling techniques have identified specific genetic alterations and mutations that drive ALL, inspiring new therapies. Targeted agents, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapies, have shown promising results in subgroups of patients while minimizing adverse effects. Furthermore, the development of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy represents a breakthrough in ALL treatment, resulting in remarkable responses and potential long-term remissions. Advances are not limited to treatment modalities alone. Measurable residual disease monitoring and ex vivo drug response profiling screening have provided earlier detection of disease relapse and identification of exceptional responders, enabling clinicians to adjust treatment strategies for individual patients. Decades of supportive and prophylactic care have improved the management of treatment-related complications, enhancing the quality of life for patients with ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pagliaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics (THEC), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Sai-Juan Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Daniel Herranz
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Cristina Mecucci
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Christine J Harrison
- Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ming Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhu Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Nicolas Boissel
- Hôpital Saint-Louis, APHP, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Stuart S Winter
- Children's Minnesota Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Giovanni Roti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics (THEC), University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Hematology and BMT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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2
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Müller H, Dicker F, Bär C, Walter W, Hutter S, Nadarajah N, Meggendorfer M, Gao Q, Iacobucci I, Mullighan CG, Kern W, Haferlach T, Haferlach C. Proximally biased V(D)J recombination in the clonal evolution of IGH alleles in KMT2A::AFF1 BCP-ALL of all age classes. Hemasphere 2024; 8:e71. [PMID: 38650597 PMCID: PMC11033919 DOI: 10.1002/hem3.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Qingsong Gao
- Department of PathologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of PathologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
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3
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Ou J, Deng S, Ding C, Cai Z, Chen J, Huang Z, Xu X, Li J, Wu Z, Tang B, Zhang T, Wang Z, Zhou Y, Xuan L, Liu Q, Zhou H. Mutations of epigenetic modifier genes predict poor outcome in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ann Hematol 2024:10.1007/s00277-024-05681-4. [PMID: 38451293 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05681-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifier (EM) genes play important roles in the occurrence and progression of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the prognostic significance of EM mutations in ALL has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This retrospective study included 205 adult patients with ALL engaged in a pediatric-type regimen. Based on targeted next-generation sequencing, they were divided into EM mutation group (EM-mut, n = 75) and EM wild-type group (EM-wt, n = 130). The EM-mut group showed a higher positive rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) on treatment day24 and before consolidation therapy (P = 0.026, 0.020). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that EM-mut was an independent adverse factor for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) (HR = 2.123, 1.742; P = 0.009, 0.007). Survival analysis revealed that the OS and EFS rates were significantly lower in the EM-mut group than in the EM-wt group (3-year OS rate, 45.8% vs. 65.0%, P = 0.0041; 3-year EFS rate, 36.7% vs. 53.2%, P = 0.011). In conclusion, EM was frequently mutated in adult ALL and was characterized by poor response to induction therapy and inferior clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawang Ou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyu Deng
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenhao Ding
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihong Cai
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zicong Huang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuli Xu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengwei Wu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingqing Tang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixiang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Xuan
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qifa Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongsheng Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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4
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Yin H, Wang J, Tan Y, Jiang M, Zhang H, Meng G. Transcription factor abnormalities in B-ALL leukemogenesis and treatment. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:855-870. [PMID: 37407363 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
The biological regulation of transcription factors (TFs) and repressor proteins is an important mechanism for maintaining cell homeostasis. In B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) TF abnormalities occur at high frequency and are often recognized as the major driving factor in carcinogenesis. We provide an in-depth review of molecular mechanisms of six major TF rearrangements in B-ALL, including DUX4-rearranged (DUX4-R), MEF2D-R, ZNF384-R, ETV6-RUNX1 and TCF3-PBX1 fusions, and KMT2A-R. In addition, the therapeutic options and prognoses for patients who harbor these TF abnormalities are discussed. This review aims to provide an up-to-date panoramic view of how TF-based oncogenic fusions might drive carcinogenesis and impact on potential therapeutic exploration of B-ALL treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Yin
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Junfei Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yangxia Tan
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Minghao Jiang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Ministry of Education (MOE) Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China.
| | - Guoyu Meng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China.
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5
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Fouad FM, Eid JI. PAX5 fusion genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33836. [PMID: 37335685 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common cancer affecting children worldwide. The development of ALL is driven by several genes, some of which can be targeted for treatment by inhibiting gene fusions. PAX5 is frequently mutated in ALL and is involved in chromosomal rearrangements and translocations. Mutations in PAX5 interact with other genes, such as ETV6 and FOXP1, which influence B-cell development. PAX5/ETV6 has been observed in both B-ALL patients and a mouse model. The interaction between PAX5 and FOXP1 negatively suppresses the Pax5 gene in B-ALL patients. Additionally, ELN and PML genes have been found to fuse with PAX5, leading to adverse effects on B-cell differentiation. ELN-PAX5 interaction results in the decreased expression of LEF1, MB1, and BLNK, while PML-PAX5 is critical in the early stages of leukemia. PAX5 fusion genes prevent the transcription of the PAX5 gene, making it an essential target gene for the study of leukemia progression and the diagnosis of B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Mohamed Fouad
- Biology Department, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Chemistry Department, Biotechnology/Bimolecular Chemistry program, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Jehane I Eid
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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6
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Kovach AE, Raca G. Modern Classification and Management of Pediatric B-cell Leukemia and Lymphoma. Surg Pathol Clin 2023; 16:249-266. [PMID: 37149359 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Although pediatric hematopathology overlaps with that of adults, certain forms of leukemia and lymphoma, and many types of reactive conditions affecting the bone marrow and lymph nodes, are unique to children. As part of this series focused on lymphomas, this article (1) details the novel subtypes of lymphoblastic leukemia seen primarily in children and described since the 2017 World Health Organization classification and (2) discusses unique concepts in pediatric hematopathology, including nomenclature changes and evaluation of surgical margins in selected lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Kovach
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Clinical Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
| | - Gordana Raca
- Clinical Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA; Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Personalized Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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7
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Kaczmarska A, Derebas J, Pinkosz M, Niedźwiecki M, Lejman M. The Landscape of Secondary Genetic Rearrangements in Pediatric Patients with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with t(12;21). Cells 2023; 12:cells12030357. [PMID: 36766699 PMCID: PMC9913634 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The most frequent chromosomal rearrangement in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22). It results in the fusion of the ETV6::RUNX1 gene, which is active in the regulation of multiple crucial cellular pathways. Recent studies hypothesize that many translocations are influenced by RAG-initiated deletions, as well as defects in the RAS and NRAS pathways. According to a "two-hit" model for the molecular pathogenesis of pediatric ETV6::RUNX1-positive B-ALL, the t(12;21) translocation requires leukemia-causing secondary mutations. Patients with ETV6::RUNX1 express up to 60 different aberrations, which highlights the heterogeneity of this B-ALL subtype and is reflected in differences in patient response to treatment and chances of relapse. Most studies of secondary genetic changes have concentrated on deletions of the normal, non-rearranged ETV6 allele. Other predominant structural changes included deletions of chromosomes 6q and 9p, loss of entire chromosomes X, 8, and 13, duplications of chromosome 4q, or trisomy of chromosomes 21 and 16, but the impact of these changes on overall survival remains unclarified. An equally genetically diverse group is the recently identified new B-ALL subtype ETV6::RUNX1-like ALL. In our review, we provide a comprehensive description of recurrent secondary mutations in pediatric B-ALL with t(12;21) to emphasize the value of investigating detailed molecular mechanisms in ETV6::RUNX1-positive B-ALL, both for our understanding of the etiology of the disease and for future clinical advances in patient treatment and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Kaczmarska
- Student Scientific Society of Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, A. Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Justyna Derebas
- Student Scientific Society of Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, A. Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michalina Pinkosz
- Student Scientific Society of Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, A. Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Niedźwiecki
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Medical University of Gdansk, Debinki 7, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, A. Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
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8
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Barletta JA, Gilday SD, Afkhami M, Bell D, Bocklage T, Boisselier P, Chau NG, Cipriani NA, Costes-Martineau V, Ghossein RA, Hertzler HJ, Kramer AM, Limaye S, Lopez CA, Ng TL, Weissferdt A, Xu B, Zhang S, French CA. NUTM1 -rearranged Carcinoma of the Thyroid : A Distinct Subset of NUT Carcinoma Characterized by Frequent NSD3 - NUTM1 Fusions. Am J Surg Pathol 2022; 46:1706-1715. [PMID: 36040068 PMCID: PMC9669222 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
NUT carcinoma (NC) is a rare subtype of squamous cell carcinoma defined by NUTM1 rearrangements encoding NUT fusion oncoproteins (the most frequent fusion partner being BRD4 ) that carries a very poor prognosis, with most patients dying in under 1 year. Only rare primary thyroid NCs have been reported. Here, we evaluated a series of 14 cases. The median patient age at diagnosis was 38 years (range: 17 to 72 y). Eight of 13 cases with slides available for review (62%) showed a morphology typical of NC, whereas 5 (38%) had a non-NC-like morphology, some of which had areas of cribriform or fused follicular architecture resembling a follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinoma. For cases with immunohistochemistry results, 85% (11/13) were positive for NUT on biopsy or resection, though staining was significantly decreased on resection specimens due to fixation; 55% (6/11) were positive for PAX8, and 54% (7/13) for TTF-1. Tumors with a non-NC-like morphology were all positive for PAX8 and TTF-1. The fusion partner was known in 12 cases: 9 (75%) cases had a NSD3-NUTM1 fusion, and 3 (25%) had a BRD4-NUTM1 fusion. For our cohort, the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 69%, and the 5-year OS was 58%. Patients with NC-like tumors had a significantly worse OS compared with that of patients with tumors with a non-NC-like morphology ( P =0.0462). Our study shows that NC of the thyroid can mimic other thyroid primaries, has a high rate of NSD3 - NUTM1 fusions, and an overall more protracted clinical course compared with nonthyroid primary NC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine A. Barletta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Steven D. Gilday
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michelle Afkhami
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Diana Bell
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Theresa Bocklage
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Pierre Boisselier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, ICM, Montpellier Cancer Institute, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicole G. Chau
- Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Ronald A. Ghossein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hans J. Hertzler
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sewanti Limaye
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Carlos A. Lopez
- Division of Medical Oncology & Hematology, Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Lake Success, NY 11042, USA
| | - Tony L. Ng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Annikka Weissferdt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Songlin Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
| | - Christopher A. French
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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9
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Zhang L, Habeebu SSM, Li W. Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Precursor B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Leukemia 2022. [DOI: 10.36255/exon-publications-leukemia-biomarkers-lymphoblastic-leukemia] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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10
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Helenius M, Vaitkeviciene G, Abrahamsson J, Jonsson ÓG, Lund B, Harila-Saari A, Vettenranta K, Mikkel S, Stanulla M, Lopez-Lopez E, Waanders E, Madsen HO, Marquart HV, Modvig S, Gupta R, Schmiegelow K, Nielsen RL. Characteristics of white blood cell count in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A COST LEGEND phenotype-genotype study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29582. [PMID: 35316565 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND White blood cell count (WBC) as a measure of extramedullary leukemic cell survival is a well-known prognostic factor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but its biology, including impact of host genome variants, is poorly understood. METHODS We included patients treated with the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL-2008 protocol (N = 2347, 72% were genotyped by Illumina Omni2.5exome-8-Bead chip) aged 1-45 years, diagnosed with B-cell precursor (BCP-) or T-cell ALL (T-ALL) to investigate the variation in WBC. Spline functions of WBC were fitted correcting for association with age across ALL subgroups of immunophenotypes and karyotypes. The residuals between spline WBC and actual WBC were used to identify WBC-associated germline genetic variants in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) while adjusting for age and ALL subtype associations. RESULTS We observed an overall inverse correlation between age and WBC, which was stronger for the selected patient subgroups of immunophenotype and karyotypes (ρBCP-ALL = -.17, ρT-ALL = -.19; p < 3 × 10-4 ). Spline functions fitted to age, immunophenotype, and karyotype explained WBC variation better than age alone (ρ = .43, p << 2 × 10-6 ). However, when the spline-adjusted WBC residuals were used as phenotype, no GWAS significant associations were found. Based on available annotation, the top 50 genetic variants suggested effects on signal transduction, translation initiation, cell development, and proliferation. CONCLUSION These results indicate that host genome variants do not strongly influence WBC across ALL subsets, and future studies of why some patients are more prone to hyperleukocytosis should be performed within specific ALL subsets that apply more complex analyses to capture potential germline variant interactions and impact on WBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Helenius
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Goda Vaitkeviciene
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos Center for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology and Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jonas Abrahamsson
- Department of Paediatrics, Institution for Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Bendik Lund
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arja Harila-Saari
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kim Vettenranta
- University of Helsinki and Children´s Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sirje Mikkel
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Martin Stanulla
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elixabet Lopez-Lopez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Pediatric Oncology Group, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Esmé Waanders
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans O Madsen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Vibeke Marquart
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Modvig
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ramneek Gupta
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kjeld Schmiegelow
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Linnemann Nielsen
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
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11
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Abreu RF, Oliveira TBD, Hertzler H, Toledo RN, D'Almeida Costa F, Lopes Pinto CA, Nunes WA, Nascimento AF, French CA, Nascimento AG. NUT Carcinoma, an under-recognized malignancy: a clinicopathologic and molecular series of 6 cases showing a subset of patients with better prognosis and a rare ZNF532::NUTM1 fusion. Hum Pathol 2022; 126:87-99. [PMID: 35623465 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
NUT carcinoma (NC) is a rare malignancy with aggressive clinical behavior, defined by rearrangements involving the NUTM1 gene locus. This entity is often under recognized and its diagnosis may be challenging. In this study, we describe a subset of patients that, despite the molecularly proven diagnosis of NC, show improved outcome. In addition, we describe one case with the novel ZNF532::NUTM1 fusion. All cases of NC diagnosed from 2013 to 2022 in our department were retrieved. FISH using dual color bring-together probes and next-generation sequencing assay were performed to characterize the fusions involving NUTM1. Amongst 6 patients identified, 5 were male with a median age of 35.6 years. Four patients had primary tumor in the head and neck region (2 ethmoid sinus, 1 parotid gland, 1 lacrimal gland); 1 in the mediastinum, and another presented with femoral bone tumor. In all cases, the initial diagnoses were not NC. The cases showed different morphological patterns, including monomorphic, rhabdoid and pleomorphic appearance. One case showed pseudopapillary pattern. By immunohistochemistry, all tumors showed squamous differentiation and ≥ 50% of neoplastic cells with nuclear positivity for NUT antibody. One case expressed WT1 (C-terminus) and other showed chromogranin positivity. Genetic study revealed a BRD4::NUTM1 fusion in all head and neck cases, BRD3::NUTM1 in mediastinum case, and ZNF532::NUTM1 fusion in the femur bone case. They were treated with surgical resection plus chemo and radiotherapy. The median overall survival was 23.11 months (1.6-83.3 mo) and the median disease free survival was 14.86 months (0-54.4 mo). The patients with longer overall survival were one with a lacrimal gland primary (83.3 months) and other with a parotid lesion (31.9 months). Both patients were primarily treated with complete surgical resection. Anatomic location may be directly related to the overall survival in NC cases. Resectability of the lesion is also an important factor related to survival. Pathologists should include NC in the differential diagnosis of any poorly differentiated and undifferentiated monomorphic malignancy, regardless of its anatomic location.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hans Hertzler
- Clinical Research Coordinator for NUT Carcinoma Patients, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, USA
| | - Ronaldo Nunes Toledo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, Sao Paulo, 01509-010, Brazil
| | | | | | - Warley Abreu Nunes
- Department of Pathology, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, Sao Paulo, 01509-010, Brazil
| | - Alessandra F Nascimento
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Associate Professor of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 44106, USA
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12
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Rack K, Bie J, Ameye G, Gielen O, Demeyer S, Cools J, Keersmaecker K, Vermeesch JR, Maertens J, Segers H, Michaux L, Dewaele B. Optimizing the diagnostic workflow for acute lymphoblastic leukemia by optical genome mapping. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:548-561. [PMID: 35119131 PMCID: PMC9314940 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy that can be subdivided into distinct entities based on clinical, immunophenotypic and genomic features, including mutations, structural variants (SVs), and copy number alterations (CNA). Chromosome banding analysis (CBA) and Fluorescent In‐Situ Hybridization (FISH) together with Multiple Ligation‐dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), array and PCR‐based methods form the backbone of routine diagnostics. This approach is labor‐intensive, time‐consuming and costly. New molecular technologies now exist that can detect SVs and CNAs in one test. Here we apply one such technology, optical genome mapping (OGM), to the diagnostic work‐up of 41 ALL cases. Compared to our standard testing pathway, OGM identified all recurrent CNAs and SVs as well as additional recurrent SVs and the resulting fusion genes. Based on the genomic profile obtained by OGM, 32 patients could be assigned to one of the major cytogenetic risk groups compared to 23 with the standard approach. The latter identified 24/34 recurrent chromosomal abnormalities, while OGM identified 33/34, misinterpreting only 1 case with low hypodiploidy. The results of MLPA were concordant in 100% of cases. Overall, there was excellent concordance between the results. OGM increased the detection rate and cytogenetic resolution, and abrogated the need for cascade testing, resulting in reduced turnaround times. OGM also provided opportunities for better patient stratification and accurate treatment options. However, for comprehensive cytogenomic testing, OGM still needs to be complemented with CBA or SNP‐array to detect ploidy changes and with BCR::ABL1 FISH to assign patients as soon as possible to targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Rack
- Laboratory for the Cytogenetic and Molecular Diagnosis of Hematological Malignancies, Centre for Human Genetics University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Jolien Bie
- Laboratory for the Cytogenetic and Molecular Diagnosis of Hematological Malignancies, Centre for Human Genetics University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Laboratory for the Molecular Biology of Leukemia KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Geneviève Ameye
- Laboratory for the Cytogenetic and Molecular Diagnosis of Hematological Malignancies, Centre for Human Genetics University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Olga Gielen
- Laboratory for the Molecular Biology of Leukemia KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Centre for Cancer Biology Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) Leuven Belgium
| | - Sofie Demeyer
- Laboratory for the Molecular Biology of Leukemia KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Centre for Cancer Biology Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) Leuven Belgium
| | - Jan Cools
- Laboratory for the Molecular Biology of Leukemia KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Centre for Cancer Biology Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) Leuven Belgium
- Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI) KU Leuven – University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Kim Keersmaecker
- Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI) KU Leuven – University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Department of Oncology KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Joris R. Vermeesch
- Department of Human Genetics KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Centre for Human Genetics University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Johan Maertens
- Department of Hematology University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Heidi Segers
- Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI) KU Leuven – University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Oncology‐Hematology University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Lucienne Michaux
- Laboratory for the Cytogenetic and Molecular Diagnosis of Hematological Malignancies, Centre for Human Genetics University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Barbara Dewaele
- Laboratory for the Cytogenetic and Molecular Diagnosis of Hematological Malignancies, Centre for Human Genetics University Hospitals Leuven Leuven Belgium
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13
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Leo IR, Aswad L, Stahl M, Kunold E, Post F, Erkers T, Struyf N, Mermelekas G, Joshi RN, Gracia-Villacampa E, Östling P, Kallioniemi OP, Tamm KP, Siavelis I, Lehtiö J, Vesterlund M, Jafari R. Integrative multi-omics and drug response profiling of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1691. [PMID: 35354797 PMCID: PMC8967900 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29224-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Although standard-of-care chemotherapeutics are sufficient for most ALL cases, there are subsets of patients with poor response who relapse in disease. The biology underlying differences between subtypes and their response to therapy has only partially been explained by genetic and transcriptomic profiling. Here, we perform comprehensive multi-omic analyses of 49 readily available childhood ALL cell lines, using proteomics, transcriptomics, and pharmacoproteomic characterization. We connect the molecular phenotypes with drug responses to 528 oncology drugs, identifying drug correlations as well as lineage-dependent correlations. We also identify the diacylglycerol-analog bryostatin-1 as a therapeutic candidate in the MEF2D-HNRNPUL1 fusion high-risk subtype, for which this drug activates pro-apoptotic ERK signaling associated with molecular mediators of pre-B cell negative selection. Our data is the foundation for the interactive online Functional Omics Resource of ALL (FORALL) with navigable proteomics, transcriptomics, and drug sensitivity profiles at https://proteomics.se/forall. Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is characterised by a range of genetic aberrations. Here, the authors use multi-omics profiling of ALL cell lines to connect molecular phenotypes and drug responses to provide an interactive resource of drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Rose Leo
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Luay Aswad
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Matthias Stahl
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elena Kunold
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Frederik Post
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden.,Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Muenster, Schlossplatz 7, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Tom Erkers
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nona Struyf
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Georgios Mermelekas
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rubin Narayan Joshi
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Eva Gracia-Villacampa
- Division of Gene Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Päivi Östling
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Olli P Kallioniemi
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Katja Pokrovskaja Tamm
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, J6:140 BioClinicum, Akademiska stråket 1, 171 64, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ioannis Siavelis
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mattias Vesterlund
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rozbeh Jafari
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden.
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14
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Lejman M, Chałupnik A, Chilimoniuk Z, Dobosz M. Genetic Biomarkers and Their Clinical Implications in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052755. [PMID: 35269896 PMCID: PMC8911213 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies characterized by abnormal proliferation of immature lymphoid cells. It is the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer with an almost 80% cure rate. Despite favorable survival rates in the pediatric population, a significant number of patients develop resistance to therapy, resulting in poor prognosis. ALL is a heterogeneous disease at the genetic level, but the intensive development of sequencing in the last decade has made it possible to broaden the study of genomic changes. New technologies allow us to detect molecular changes such as point mutations or to characterize epigenetic or proteomic profiles. This process made it possible to identify new subtypes of this disease characterized by constellations of genetic alterations, including chromosome changes, sequence mutations, and DNA copy number alterations. These genetic abnormalities are used as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers that play an important role in earlier disease detection, more accurate risk stratification, and treatment. Identification of new ALL biomarkers, and thus a greater understanding of their molecular basis, will lead to better monitoring of the course of the disease. In this article, we provide an overview of the latest information on genomic alterations found in childhood ALL and discuss their impact on patients' clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Lejman
- Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Aleksandra Chałupnik
- Student Scientific Society, Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.C.); (Z.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Zuzanna Chilimoniuk
- Student Scientific Society, Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.C.); (Z.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Maciej Dobosz
- Student Scientific Society, Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.C.); (Z.C.); (M.D.)
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15
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Iacobucci I, Kimura S, Mullighan CG. Biologic and Therapeutic Implications of Genomic Alterations in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3792. [PMID: 34501239 PMCID: PMC8432032 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10173792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most successful paradigm of how risk-adapted therapy and detailed understanding of the genetic alterations driving leukemogenesis and therapeutic response may dramatically improve treatment outcomes, with cure rates now exceeding 90% in children. However, ALL still represents a leading cause of cancer-related death in the young, and the outcome for older adolescents and young adults with ALL remains poor. In the past decade, next generation sequencing has enabled critical advances in our understanding of leukemogenesis. These include the identification of risk-associated ALL subtypes (e.g., those with rearrangements of MEF2D, DUX4, NUTM1, ZNF384 and BCL11B; the PAX5 P80R and IKZF1 N159Y mutations; and genomic phenocopies such as Ph-like ALL) and the genomic basis of disease evolution. These advances have been complemented by the development of novel therapeutic approaches, including those that are of mutation-specific, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and those that are mutation-agnostic, including antibody and cellular immunotherapies, and protein degradation strategies such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras. Herein, we review the genetic taxonomy of ALL with a focus on clinical implications and the implementation of genomic diagnostic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
| | - Shunsuke Kimura
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
| | - Charles G. Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hematological Malignancies Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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16
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Chen WP, Chiang WF, Chen HM, Chan JS, Hsiao PJ. Preventive Healthcare and Management for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Adults: Case Report and Literature Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9050531. [PMID: 34063253 PMCID: PMC8147493 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9050531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is diagnosed by the presence of at least 20% lymphoblasts in the bone marrow. ALL may be aggressive and include the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (CNS), and other organs. Without early recognition and timely treatment, ALL will progress quickly and may have poor prognosis in clinical scenarios. ALL is a rare type of leukaemia in adults but is the most common type in children. Precipitating factors such as environmental radiation or chemical exposure, viral infection, and genetic factors can be associated with ALL. We report a rare case of ALL with symptomatic hypercalcaemia in an adult woman. The patient presented with general weakness, poor appetite, bilateral lower limbs oedema, consciousness disturbance, and lower back pain for 3 weeks. She had a history of cervical cancer and had undergone total hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Her serum calcium level was markedly increased, at 14.1 mg/dl at admission. Neck magnetic resonance imaging, abdominal sonography, abdominal computed tomography, and bone marrow examination were performed. Laboratory data, including intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH), peripheral blood smear, and 25-(OH) D3, were checked. Bone marrow biopsy showed B cell lymphoblastic leukaemia. Chemotherapy was initiated to be administered but was discontinued due to severe sepsis. Finally, the patient died due to septic shock. This was a rare case of B cell ALL in an adult complicated by hypercalcaemic crisis, which could be a life-threatening emergency in clinical practice. Physicians should pay attention to the associated risk factors. Early recognition and appropriate treatment may improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ping Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan;
- Division of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fang Chiang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan;
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Ming Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan;
| | - Jenq-Shyong Chan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan;
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-S.C.); or (P.-J.H.); Tel.: +88-63-479-9595 (P.-J.H.)
| | - Po-Jen Hsiao
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan;
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-S.C.); or (P.-J.H.); Tel.: +88-63-479-9595 (P.-J.H.)
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